Mice in the Shed: Warning Signs, Extermination, and Prevention

Mice can invade sheds, just like they can invade homes. When mice need somewhere sheltered to stay, a shed can seem very inviting.

In fact, when compared to a home, a shed can even be an easier place for a mouse to spend time. Sheds are deserted locations, so mice are able to run around easily without being detected. Knowing how to identify the signs of mice in your shed, how to get rid of mice on your property, and how to avoid this problem can help you take care of your things and prevent damage from mice.

Know the Signs

If your shed has mice, you'll see indications like mouse feces scattered along the boxes, the floor, and on the shelves of your shed. Mouse feces are shaped like grains of rice and are no more than 1/4 of an inch long. You may also notice holes that have been chewed through the walls or boxes in your shed.

Get Rid of Food Sources

Many people assume that their shed doesn’t contain food because their shed doesn’t contain human food. It's easy to forget that mice will eat many things, not just human foods. Pet food, bird seed, and even mulch can all become food for mice.

Homeowners who think their shed is safe from mice can find themselves battling rodents — especially if their shed happens to contain organic material that mice can eat.

Look for Holes and Openings

Sheds aren’t airtight structures. Wooden sheds have a way of developing rot where the wood meets the ground. When this happens, rodents can easily chew holes through the walls of the shed. Likewise, metal sheds may contain cracks under the door or beneath the eaves of the roof where mice can slip in.

Homeowners who want to protect their shed, whether the shed is metal or wood, can start by sealing all of the potential holes. Sometimes these holes can be stuffed with steel wool. Other times, holes can only be sealed through repairs.

Either way, it's important to remember that mice can chew through most organic materials and many inorganic materials. Homeowners who do not plan to repair their shed will need to stuff the holes with something too hard to chew through, like steel wool.

Seal Up the Contents of Boxes

If you keep cardboard boxes in your shed, these cardboard boxes could become an attraction for mice. Mice can easily chew through cardboard and can use it as a nesting material. In addition, if there's anything inside the boxes that mice may want like paper, cloth, rags or food, mice can easily get to those things and destroy them.

The best way to avoid this problem is to seal up everything into plastic bins with lids that seal.

Set Traps

If you have mice in your shed, then the best way to get rid of them is by setting out traps and poison. Work with your pest control company to get these traps put in place.

If your pest control company chooses to put bait stations inside your shed, then they'll need access to the shed next time they come. This way, they'll be able to refill the bait station as needed. Work with your pest control company to ensure they'll have access to the inside of your shed the next time they come.

If you have questions about how to get rid of mice in your shed, then contact a reputable pest control company in your area. At Maple Lane Pest Control, we're happy to answer your questions. Call us today to find out more about how to deal with mice on your property.